Description

A passionate and deeply personal exploration of feminism during divisive times by actor, filmmaker, and activist Amber Tamblyn

In her late twenties, Amber Tamblyn experienced a crisis of character while trying to break out of the confines of the acting career she'd forged as a child in order to become the writer and director she dreamed of being as an adult. After a particularly low period fueled by rejection and disillusionment, she grabbed hold of her own destiny and entered into what she calls an Era of Ignition--namely, the time of self-reflection that follows in the wake of personal upheaval and leads to a call to action and positive change. In the process of undergoing this metaphysical metamorphosis, she realized that our country was going through an Era of Ignition of its own. She writes: "No longer stuck in a past we can't outrun and a future we must outgrow, we are a nation that is actively confronting our values and agitating for change. We are in an age when activism becomes direct action, when disagreement becomes dissention, when dissatisfaction becomes protest, when accusations become accountability, and when revolts become revolutions."

Through her fierce op-eds and tireless work as one of the founders of the Time's Up organization, Amber has emerged as a bold, outspoken, and respected advocate for women's rights. In Era of Ignition, she addresses gender inequality and the judgment paradigm, misogyny and discrimination, trauma and the veiled complexities of consent, white feminism and pay parity, reproductive rights and sexual assault--all told through the very personal lens of her own experiences, as well as those of her Sisters in Solidarity. At once an intimate meditation and public reckoning, Era of Ignition is a galvanizing feminist manifesto that is required reading for everyone attempting to understand the world we live in and help change it for the better.

About the Author

Amber Tamblyn is an author, actor, and director. She's been nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award for her work in television and film, including House M.D. and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Most recently, she wrote and directed the feature film Paint It Black. She is the author of three books of poetry, including the critically acclaimed bestseller Dark Sparkler, and a novel, Any Man, as well as a contributing writer for the New York Times. She lives in New York.

Praise For…

“Amber is a unique combination—a creative powerhouse as well as a fierce activist and advocate who understands that ‘feminist’ is not a passive label. Era of Ignition is beautifully written, unflinchingly honest, and laugh-out-loud funny. This is a coming-of-age story that chronicles not only Amber’s life and career, but this once-in-a-generation moment when women across America are discovering power and strength we never knew we had.” —Cecile Richards, New York Times bestselling author of Make Trouble

“In Era of Ignition, Amber Tamblyn tackles crucial questions of this period, as a white feminist thinking about issues of gender and racial inequality, white supremacy, misogyny, economic and professional injustice and power abuses in her own industry and beyond. Acknowledging the fury and complicity that make social activism both catalytic and precarious, Tamblyn’s book is a work of personal upheaval and political reckoning.” —Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author of Good and Mad

“A personal call to action that reminds us revolution starts by holding up the mirror. A must read, candid coming of age story.” —Ayanna Pressley, congresswoman from Massachusetts

“A raw, gutsy, and exposing memoir unafraid to confront difficult questions in this turbulent time.” —America Ferrera, New York Times bestselling author of American Like Me

“A personal look at big picture questions, Era of Ignition reminds us how powerful, exhausting, and confusing it can be to go through life as a human woman. A mad, frank, tender, and very good read, written with love by a writer who loves you.” —Amy Poehler, New York Times bestselling author of Yes, Please

“Blazing and wise, Tamblyn’s foray into nonfiction is required reading for the resistance, and nothing short of sensational.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Era of Ignition offers illuminating insights into the changing face of feminism and the continued struggle to overcome the hardening lines of gender injustice. A personal and passionate story about making a world ‘that is nourished, healed, and flourishing.'” —Kirkus